Hmong wary of Lao general's guarantee on return
Phetchabun -- A senior Lao official told Hmong refugees in the Ban Huay Nam Khao shelter Thursday that the ethnic group has no other option but to return home to Laos.
"Don't hope for a third country, nobody will receive you. Don't dream for a resistance movement, nobody supports you. The quicker you make the decision, the better life you will have," said Lao Deputy chief of staff BrigGeneral Buaxieng Champaphan.
Buaxieng is the first senior Lao official to visit the camp in Phetchabun to try and convince more than 5,000 Hmong to return home voluntarily.
The general told representatives of the Hmong that Lao authorities would not punish them for fleeing the country. Each would receive financial assistance of 300,000 kip (Bt1,800), a house and plot of land for farming upon their return, he said.
Source - The Nation
Well, strange story this, caught my eye as there are 5000 of them, more than I would have thought. Also a strange choice of ambassador for the Lao government to sent, what kind of message does that send? The return home offer sounds too good to be true, the lao government/army has 'drawn a lot of flak' in the past regarding it's treatment of ethnic minorities and has hardly provided a "safe haven" for such people.
Think they might be right to be sceptical.
Lao General visits refugee camp in Thailand
Lao General visits refugee camp in Thailand
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Georgy Porgy
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This is a very topical issue at the moment as the Thais and Laos try to grow closer together. The main problem is the issue of Refugees.
Thousands have moved to America over the years and all countries are trying to stem the tide.
Offering homes, and forced repatriation, to frightened people in Pechabun is very suspect as is well documented on Google etc.
The Thai and Laos Governments want all this tidied up by July 09, before the International Games in Laos when the eyes of the World will be turned this way.
More important, in my mind, are the 158 Laos Hmong Refugees held in captivitiy at Nong Khai Immigration Detention Centre. They already have UNHCR Papers and were ready to go to America and Australia 2 years ago - then they were led to believe they were to be repatriated to Laos and went on hunger strike, and so were imprisoned.
They are currently locked up in overcrowded conditions for 22 hours a day - men women and 91 CHILDREN, totalling 158 persons.
This is absolutely against all Human Rights of Children, if nothing else.
Do some research on the Web, go and see them, as I did - unbelievable.
Just another disgrace in this so called Civilised World we live in.
Thousands have moved to America over the years and all countries are trying to stem the tide.
Offering homes, and forced repatriation, to frightened people in Pechabun is very suspect as is well documented on Google etc.
The Thai and Laos Governments want all this tidied up by July 09, before the International Games in Laos when the eyes of the World will be turned this way.
More important, in my mind, are the 158 Laos Hmong Refugees held in captivitiy at Nong Khai Immigration Detention Centre. They already have UNHCR Papers and were ready to go to America and Australia 2 years ago - then they were led to believe they were to be repatriated to Laos and went on hunger strike, and so were imprisoned.
They are currently locked up in overcrowded conditions for 22 hours a day - men women and 91 CHILDREN, totalling 158 persons.
This is absolutely against all Human Rights of Children, if nothing else.
Do some research on the Web, go and see them, as I did - unbelievable.
Just another disgrace in this so called Civilised World we live in.
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Georgy Porgy
- Specialist
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:14 pm
- Location: Australia
Honestly, I knew nothing about it. I haven't seen it in the Bangkok Post but I do see it's been covered extensively in The Nation, and a Google search does indeed have quite a bit on it.
It makes the Burma boat people incident pale in comparison to a degree.
Clinton bypassed Thailand on her recent trip, which has the government here a bit nervous. Perhaps this and similar issues are part of the reason. She has always been a strong advocate of treating refugees correctly and fairly.
At least we now know about it and can follow it and voice concerns.
You're very correct that the issue with the children is barbaric and it shocks me that Thailand, who by tradition treats their Thai children with exceptional care and concern, should be playing a part in this.
Thanks for the insight and education. Although very sad, it's something that can't be ignored with our heads hidden under blankets. Pete
It makes the Burma boat people incident pale in comparison to a degree.
Clinton bypassed Thailand on her recent trip, which has the government here a bit nervous. Perhaps this and similar issues are part of the reason. She has always been a strong advocate of treating refugees correctly and fairly.
At least we now know about it and can follow it and voice concerns.
You're very correct that the issue with the children is barbaric and it shocks me that Thailand, who by tradition treats their Thai children with exceptional care and concern, should be playing a part in this.
Thanks for the insight and education. Although very sad, it's something that can't be ignored with our heads hidden under blankets. Pete
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Dreadful.
I may be getting confused about issues on the Loas and Burmese borders, but weren't some of the "long-necked" people around NW Thailand allowed visas to go to New Zealand (I think it was to there), but Thailand refused to let them leave as they attracted too much tourist Baht?
I remember reading about the plight of the Hmong refugees. I thought quite a few had already been deported from Thailand back to Laos. That is not trying to say that I condone the fact that some are still in captivity.
I havn't researched the issue before posting here, but if I remember correctly, The Hmong are essentially a nomadic people who can't get nationality anywhere. Thailand dosn't want them and nor does Loas.
I could be wrong about that though.
I may be getting confused about issues on the Loas and Burmese borders, but weren't some of the "long-necked" people around NW Thailand allowed visas to go to New Zealand (I think it was to there), but Thailand refused to let them leave as they attracted too much tourist Baht?
I remember reading about the plight of the Hmong refugees. I thought quite a few had already been deported from Thailand back to Laos. That is not trying to say that I condone the fact that some are still in captivity.
I havn't researched the issue before posting here, but if I remember correctly, The Hmong are essentially a nomadic people who can't get nationality anywhere. Thailand dosn't want them and nor does Loas.
I could be wrong about that though.
I wonder if that's true, hmmmmm, maybe? If it is, then that's quite a snub and sends a silent message of disapproval. I wonder if it's a hint on the future relationship for the US and Thailand.prcscct wrote:Clinton bypassed Thailand on her recent trip, which has the government here a bit nervous. Perhaps this and similar issues are part of the reason.
I can also see Hillary Clinton not liking these current "situations" here regarding this thread subject matter one iota.
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Khundon1975
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What will happen to these refugees if they are sent back to Laos?
I doubt that they will be safe there, from the Lao authorities.
Maybe Clinton should have stopped off in Thailand and voiced her concerns about their plight, that would have made the Thai authorities think twice, on how they are treating these peoples.
Man's inhumanity to man.
I doubt that they will be safe there, from the Lao authorities.
Maybe Clinton should have stopped off in Thailand and voiced her concerns about their plight, that would have made the Thai authorities think twice, on how they are treating these peoples.
Man's inhumanity to man.
I've lost my mind and I am making no effort to find it.
US secretary Clinton to visit Thailand in July : US embassy
US embassy on Monday denied a claim by an Opposition MP that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton avoided visiting Thailand during her recent trip to Asia because of security concerns.
Prompong Nopparit had claimed that Clinton decided not to visit Thailand because she was not happy with airports' seizures by People's Alliance for Democracy protesters, and particularly the appointment of Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom.
US Embassy spokesman Michael Turner told the Thai News Agency on Monday that Thailand was not in the Clinton's itinerary to Asia and that has nothing to do with the claims.
"Secretary Clinton will visit Thailand in July to attend Asean Regional Forum in Bangkok," Turner said.
Source - The Nation
Looks like she has made a hasty requisite "reschedule". They(Thais) really must have been whinging to the US embassy about being 'left off' the list this time.
US embassy on Monday denied a claim by an Opposition MP that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton avoided visiting Thailand during her recent trip to Asia because of security concerns.
Prompong Nopparit had claimed that Clinton decided not to visit Thailand because she was not happy with airports' seizures by People's Alliance for Democracy protesters, and particularly the appointment of Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom.
US Embassy spokesman Michael Turner told the Thai News Agency on Monday that Thailand was not in the Clinton's itinerary to Asia and that has nothing to do with the claims.
"Secretary Clinton will visit Thailand in July to attend Asean Regional Forum in Bangkok," Turner said.
Source - The Nation
Looks like she has made a hasty requisite "reschedule". They(Thais) really must have been whinging to the US embassy about being 'left off' the list this time.
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